More disease spreading scandal has erupted today after a Welsh farmer reported finding a full veterinary blood sampling syringe and gloves on his land.

According to our new favourite site Farmers Weekly interactive farmer Alan Thomas found the sealed container and a pair of rubber gloves lying near a footpath, about 200 yards from his farmhouse at Travellers Rest, Llangattock. Although his farm is not yet infected, several local farms are.

Alan Morris of the Farmers’ Union of Wales said he was horrified. “We have heard claims about the careless disposal of protective clothing, and allegations of contractors leaving infected farms to shop or visit a pub,” he said. “There must be an immediate high level inquiry into this find and into a new claim that the virus is being offered for sale.”

Meanwhile Nuala Preston the Welsh farmer who reported being offered infected sheep by an anonymous caller has said; “I have probably opened a can of worms but hope some good will come of it.” The Police confirmed that they are investigating the incident, but there is no confirmation of an official public enquiry into the growing number of scandals assosciated with foot and mouth.

Maybe if they stopped setting compensation prices for culled animals at twice the level farmers could expect for live beasts, the temptation to self infect might be reduced?

Meanwhile local council meetings regarding trail re-openings in Pateley Bridge have seen a balanced and informed debate from surprisingly open minded landowners. Oh no sorry we got that wrong. The 67 strong meeting was filled with 66 vocal and aggressive farmers who made it very clear they had no intention of allowing any re-opening of access on their land even though the council had claimed that this would now be happening. The one ‘pro-access’ attendee (a local bike shop owner who also has a smallholding) said that even though plenty of the people knew him nobody would give him eye contact, and that he could only abstain rather than vote for re-opening out of a genuine fear for his safety.

More evidence that amongst many farmers resistance to access runs a lot deeper than a few blistered beasts.